Five new TTC express bus routes roll out this March

January 25, 2016

Five new express bus routes will begin operating across the city this March, making it easier and quicker for TTC customers to get to where they need to go.

The five new routes – 185 Don Mills Rocket, 199 Finch Rocket, 188 Kipling South Rocket, 24E Victoria Park Express and 186 Wilson Rocket – are part of the unprecedented $95 million investment in public transit made by Toronto City Council in 2015 and form part of the TTC’s 2016 operating base budget.

The TTC Board approved the staff report at its Jan. 21, 2016 meeting.

“The TTC is responding to our customers’ needs and continues to add new and enhanced services across the city,” said TTC Chair Josh Colle. “The five new and enhanced express routes starting in March will provide faster, direct, and more reliable bus service to better connect our customers to their schools and jobs.”

The new routes are expected to attract approximately 400,000 new customers in 2016 and cost $3.4 million annually (net).

Route Details

185 Don Mills RocketExpress service in the Don Mills Rd./Overlea Blvd./Pape Ave. corridor, between Pape Station and Steeles Ave. E. This service will operate during the daytime and early evening, Monday to Friday, and during the daytime on Saturday, Sunday and holidays.

199 Finch RocketNew and enhanced express service on the 199 Finch Rocket.

The 199A will still provide express service between Scarborough Centre Station and Finch Station.

The 199B is a new branch providing express service between Scarborough Centre Station and York University via Finch Station, during the daytime and early evening, Monday to Friday.

The 199C is a new branch, providing express service between Finch Station and Morningside Heights during the morning and afternoon peak periods, Monday to Friday.

188 Kipling South RocketExpress service will be introduced on Kipling Ave. between Kipling Station and the Humber College campus on Lake Shore Blvd. W., during the daytime from Monday to Friday, when demand is greatest at the college.

24E Victoria Park ExpressExpress service will be introduced on Victoria Park Ave. between Victoria Park Station and Steeles Ave. E., operating between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

186 Wilson RocketExpress service will be introduced in the Wilson Ave. corridor between York Mills Station and the north campus of Humber College. This new route will replace the existing 96E Wilson Express branch, and will operate during the daytime Monday to Friday, when demand is greatest at the college.